MANILA, Philippines – Most presidential candidates are in favor of continued visits of the US military in the Philippines, but want amendments in the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Two out of 9 presidential bets--Senator Manuel Villar and former President Joseph Estrada--did not participate in the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines’ (FOCAP) “Presidential forum: Who can fix the mess?” held Monday in Makati City.

‘Gibo’ all out for VFA

Administration candidate and former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro of Lakas-Kampi-CMD said the country benefits tremendously from close RP-US security ties.

"For 2 purposes, I support their continued participation with us. Number 1, in humanitarian response. And number 2, to continue the Coast Watch South project," Teodoro said.

But Teodoro said the country should not limit its cooperation with just the US military.

"We should enter into more status of forces agreements (SOFAs) with other countries. Training, networking, and confidence building between and among armed forces of countries happen everyday. It is a deterrent to future conflict. When forces train together, they build confidence in each other. For peaceful purposes like humanitarian assistance and disaster response, they work together in the non-traditional military side of things," Teodoro added.

The US military assisted the Philippines in recovery missions after last year's typhoon Ondoy, which caused massive flooding in Metro Manila. Coast Watch South, on the other hand, is a project aimed at guarding the dangerous and ecologically-abundant Sulu and Celebes Seas bordering Malaysia and Indonesia.

Teodoro said the Philippine Navy's 120 ships cannot protect the country's 34,000-kilometer disjointed coastline. "We can work together in order to stop a threat, not only terrorism, but narcotics, human smuggling and the like," he said.

Review VFA

Liberal Party standard-bearer Aquino said he was in favor of continued US presence, but added it appeared the US military was already violating the VFA since their visits have become almost permanent.

"I said 'Yes,' but subject to review, specifically the differences in rights of Filipinos vis-à-vis the Visiting Forces Agreement. We have to review the concept of 'visiting.' It seems they are not actually visiting. They seem to be a permanent presence already in the country, which is in violation of the law. I want a review of the said measure to tell us which provisions to alter to continue with the VFA," Aquino said.

Senator Richard Gordon also wants more cooperation with the US military.

"I'd like to see more cooperation in terms of training our armed forces, very specific in terms of what we want them trained in--night flying, helicopters, or evacuation and certainly making sure that we get the necessary equipment. It cannot be a relation between master and student. It must be primus inter pares. They have to respect the jurisdiction of the Philippines especially in custodial issues. We must be clear on that. The moment a soldier commits a travesty, he must be given to Philippine authorities," Gordon said.

Calls to abolish the VFA were made at the height of the Nov. 1, 2005 rape of a Filipina by US soldier Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith. Smith was under the custody of the US embassy even after he was convicted of rape by a Makati City court.

Concerns over VFA raised

Presidential candidates Senator Jamby Madrigal (Independent), Jesus Is Lord leader Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas), environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, and Olongapo City councilor JC Delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran) echoed concerns about possible constitutional violations by the continued presence of US forces.

Madrigal said she was not in favor of the current set-up under the VFA.

"It has become a permanent forces agreement with no technology transfer. [Our strategy against terrorism] should not be globalized with the American world view," she said.

Madrigal said the Philippines should expand its security ties with other countries.

"It's not only America who can help us militarily. That is why I said categorically: I would not like VFA to be implemented. I'm very much against the no-visa policy and the jurisdiction issue as what happened to 'Nicole.' We need to fight for our sovereignty," Madrigal said.

“Nicole” was the alias used by media of the rape victim. She eventually retracted her testimony leading to the Smith’s acquittal in April 2009.

"If it's (VFA) violating the constitution, it should stop. [If we stop VFA,] it doesn't mean we have no relationship with the US. We can have the possibility of having US forces here but not under the existing pretext," said Perlas.

"Yes, as long as the VFA is helping our soldiers," added Villanueva.

Villanueva said the Philippine government should have custody over American soldiers who commit crimes in the Philippines.

Delos Reyes said he is opposed to the way American soldiers are skirting the VFA provision on short-term presence. "The privilege speech of Senator Miriam Santiago is worth considering. Ten years is not visiting anymore," he said.